Anthrax: Another Pandemic Looms

The Federal Government has announced that another deadly disease- Anthrax is in Nigeria.

This is coming after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The effect of the disruption of the deadly pandemic(COVID-19) on the human health and livelihood is felt all over the world.

Many countries of the world have put in place measures to ensure that businesses that were destroyed are revived. Also, the need to curtail the infodemic that actually made the disease more deadly and more fatality recorded is helping to reshape the myths around the pandemic in case of any eventuality.

What to know about Anthrax

Anthrax is a disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis.

Anthrax spores in the soil are very resistant and can cause disease when ingested even years after an outbreak.

The spores are brought to the surface by wet weather, or by deep tilling, and when ingested by ruminants the disease reappears.

Anthrax occurs on all the continents and commonly causes high mortality, primarily in domestic and wild herbivores as well as most mammals and several bird species.

Anthrax is a WOAH-listed disease and must be reported to the WOAH as indicated in its Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

In humans, anthrax manifests itself in three distinct patterns (cutaneous, gastrointestinal and inhalational).

The most common is a skin infection, where people become infected handling animals or animal products that contain spores.

This can happen to veterinarians, agricultural workers, livestock producers or butchers dealing with sick animals, or when infection has been spread by wool or hides.

Anthrax is a preventable disease by vaccines and can be treated with antibiotics, however specific control procedures on carcasses disposal are necessary to contain the disease and prevent its spread.